The Return of Leisure Suit Larry

In a sure sign that adventure games aren��t dead��or that will hasten their demise��Vivendi Universal says a new Leisure Suit Larry game is, um, coming in late 2004. Few details have been released, but Vivendi seems eager to distinguish this new iteration from the earlier games in the series, the last of which came out more than six years ago.

The company says LSL8 will be ��inspired by films like American Pie and There��s Something About Mary, and packed full of outrageous humor and raucous game-play,�� says Vivendi��s Nicholas Longano.

Interestingly, series creator Al Lowe is not involved in the project. Lowe posted a message on his website saying, ��I have had nothing to do with the game, but, as always, I would still enjoy working on any Larry game, if Sierra feels I have something to contribute.�� Al, you��re making us feel bad for you!

The new Larry is being developed by High Voltage Software (developers of Ground Control). Vivendi says Magna Cum Laude is the coming of age story of Larry Laffer��s nephew Larry Lovage a community college student who spends most of his time either hanging out in his dorm room or striking out with women. After hearing about a reality TV dating show, he decides to sign up as a contestant. Hijinks presumably ensue, but we��ll be the judge of the that when we can get our hands on Larry��s new friends.

Copyright © 2003 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Computer Gaming World.